Johann Most

Johann Most (1846-1906) was a German-American anarchist, journalist, and public speaker who became notorious for his advocacy of "propaganda by the deed" - the use of violence to bring about revolutionary change. He was one of the most prominent figures in the anarchist movement during the late 19th century, publishing the newspaper Freiheit and authoring numerous radical political texts. Most's influence spread across Europe and America through his writings and speeches, which promoted an extreme form of anarchist communism and revolutionary violence. After being imprisoned multiple times in Germany and England, he emigrated to the United States in 1882, where he continued his radical activism and publishing work. His most well-known publication, "The Science of Revolutionary Warfare," became infamous as a manual for terrorist tactics and explosives manufacturing. Despite controversy and further imprisonments in America, Most remained active in radical politics until his death, influencing later generations of anarchists and revolutionaries. The legacy of Johann Most remains complex and contested, with his promotion of violence overshadowing his other contributions to anarchist theory and labor rights advocacy. His life and work exemplified the radical revolutionary movements of the late 19th century and their violent confrontations with state power.

Reviews for Johann Most's works focus heavily on his influence as a radical anarchist writer, with readers either appreciating or rejecting his confrontational style. Readers praise his direct, uncompromising writing on revolutionary tactics and his practical instructions for direct action. Several note that "The Science of Revolutionary Warfare" provides historical context for understanding 19th century anarchist movements. Critics point to his extreme positions and advocacy of violence, with many modern readers finding his tone off-putting. Multiple Goodreads reviews note his writing can be "crude" and "inflammatory." Limited ratings available: Goodreads: - The Science of Revolutionary Warfare: 3.67/5 (12 ratings) - The Beast of Property: 3.89/5 (9 ratings) - Kapital und Arbeit: 4.0/5 (2 ratings) Amazon: No customer reviews available Most's works appear primarily in academic settings rather than popular reading lists, leading to few public reviews online.

The Beast of Property (1884) A pamphlet examining private property as the root of social problems and advocating for revolutionary action.

Revolutionary War Science (1885) A manual detailing explosive making and military tactics for anarchist revolutionaries.

The Science of Revolutionary Warfare (1885) A technical guide covering weapons, explosives, and combat techniques intended for militant anarchists.

Free Society (1890) A treatise outlining Most's vision of an anarchist society and methods to achieve it through direct action.

The God Pestilence (1883) A critique of religion and its influence on society from an anarchist perspective.

Anarchist Science (1888) A collection of writings on the practical application of science for revolutionary purposes.

August Reinsdorf and the Propaganda of the Deed (1885) A biographical work about the German anarchist August Reinsdorf and his revolutionary actions.

The Social Monster (1890) An analysis of capitalism as a system and its effects on working class people.